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The episode highlights the difficult situation in which Scott and DeSantis find themselves. If they adopt Trump completely, even in his most controversial moments, they risk alienating the key swing voters who are rejected by the president's statements. If they go too far with Trump, they can make the president angry and, therefore, his main supporters, they need to play in force to win Florida, where national elections can be incredibly close.
At the same time, the Democratic opponents of Scott and DeSantis tried to tie them to Trump during the campaign. Florida Senator Bill Nelson's campaign has published a Spanish ad featuring photos of Trump and Scott together. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, responding to DeSantis saying that Gillum's election "would do well" if the Dark Democrat was elected, told Fox News: "Mr. DeSantis takes a page directly from Donald Trump's textbook.
Scott and DeSantis both tried to refocus their campaigns on local issues and their own issues. Scott has just completed a bus tour to several cities where he promised to "get Washington to work," while DeSantis is touring schools across Florida touting his education plan, which heavily puts the company on the map. focus on the choice of schools. But trying to avoid the subject of Trump is not an easy task, partly because of the president himself.
Last week, Trump tweeted that "3,000 people did not die in the two hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico.When I left the island, AFTER the storm hit, they did between 6 and 18 dead, and much later, they started reporting very large numbers, such as 3000. "
His false claims were quickly greeted by the two Republicans in Florida, who have a large Puerto Rican population and thousands of people left the island after Hurricane Maria.
Scott, who was already keeping Trump away during his campaign, tweeted, "I do not agree with @POTUS." An independent study revealed that thousands of people had been lost and that Governor Rosselló was dead. 39; agreement. " Scott was referring to an independent study by researchers at George Washington University, which led the Puerto Rican governor to bring the toll of Hurricane Maria to 2,975, up from an estimated 64.
Even more surprising was a statement from the DeSantis campaign, which did not mention Trump by name, but clearly pleaded against the president's request. DeSantis won his first game by posing as the most pro-Trump candidate.
"Ron DeSantis has always worked to help the Puerto Rican community, both on the island and in Florida," said Stephen Lawson, director of communications for the DeSantis campaign. "He does not believe that any loss of life has been exaggerated, and Ron is determined to continue helping our Puerto Rican neighbors to recover and create opportunities for those who have moved to Florida."
A source close to the White House who knows the president's thinking told CNN that Trump was unhappy with both candidates. The source indicates that Trump is "upset" that DeSantis broke up with him on the tweet, although the source downplayed the long-term damage that it could have on the relationship of the two, comparing him to "a parent and a child who fights".
The source said Trump had not closed the door to the relationship, adding that DeSantis still had time to "straighten the ship". Trump, the source said, has the feeling of having pushed DeSantis onto the podium in the primary competition, to support DeSantis early and to be with him for a campaign event and that DeSantis is "thankless" for his support. This person said that Trump immediately insisted on DeSantis' comments last week, saying, "He reads everything".
The source also said that President Trump is also not satisfied with the astute avoidance of Governor Scott, who appeared with Trump on the campaign trail, while he did his own candidate to replace Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. "The President does not like that Governor Scott does not seem to want to appear with him at public events," the source said, adding that Trump had complained privately that Scott would fly on Air Force One but does not appear in public. with him.
A White House spokesman did not return a request for comment.
For their part, Scott and DeSantis reject the idea that there is friction between them and the president.
At an event outside Orlando on Wednesday, DeSantis scoffed at the idea that his relationship with the president was sidelined.
"I do not think anything has changed," he said.
When asked if he had recently spoken to the president, DeSantis replied, "I would prefer it to remain private."
Scott is in a slightly different situation with regard to Trump. Scott won the state in Florida twice and did not have to face a difficult first hurdle that required Trump's support. His campaign rejected the idea that the governor is moving away from the president.
"The Governor frequently talks about important issues for Florida with the President and appreciates his support," said Chris Hartline, director of communications for the Scott campaign.
Scott says his relationship with Trump has been globally beneficial for Florida, leading to breakthroughs in federal funding for environmental projects and preventing offshore oil drilling off the Sunshine State coast.
"If it's good for Florida, I'm going to agree with the president, if it's bad for Florida, I'll oppose it," Scott said in a statement. interview granted Monday to CNN.
Scott did not rule out appearing with Trump before the election. He just said it would be on the terms of his campaign.
"If someone goes down and wants to support what I'm doing, then I welcome him," he said.
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